Winning votes hits obstacle

JULIA Gillard's ploy to avoid anybody but chosen supporters during her quest for the west hit a snag yesterday.

After the Prime Minister announced new gang laws, she was approached for the first time at an event by a member of the public who had not been handpicked to meet with her.

Cabramatta high school teacher Rima Hussayni approached her in Punchbowl with her disabled 15-month-old daughter asking why the government did not provide more early intervention programs. "I am finding it really hard to find any services ... there are more for older kids," she said.

Ms Gillard was also heckled by a woman in Punchbowl, who shouted "you're full of it" as the Prime Minister declared she would always put Australian workers before foreign workers with a government crackdown on 457 visas.

Ms Gillard's communications director John McTernan did not answer emailed questions about the terms of his own 457 visa which has enabled him to work for the Prime Minister.